Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

CHAP. IV SAKAl OF SELANGOR 99
hair oiled and combed carefully. Then, after being
once more clothed in its best garments, it was
entirely covered with a shroud. The dead man's
dagger (" kris ") or his chopper ("parang") was laid
upon his breast, together with his betel-leaf wallet.
When all was ready the deceased was carried out
upon an improvised bier to a place pointed out by
his nearest relation. The trench, which was broad
and deep, was lined at the bottom and sides with
planks or billets of wood. As soon as the corpse was
lowered into the trench, tobacco and betel-nut was
offered— " ' for the last time,' they say." Everything
having been placed beside the body, the grave was
carefully covered over with planks which were then
covered up with earth.
The same day rice and cakes were placed there,
" not to feed the dead," a young Sakai hastened to
explain, " but to obtain from the Lord forgiveness for
his sins " (" lepas dia-punya dosa ")} On the third, the
seventh, and the hundredth days following, a similar
offering was laid upon the tomb," which was then
raised and tended carefully,^
Another form of burial which is perhaps more
characteristic is that practised by some of the
Sakai in the Ulu Langat district of Selangor, which
appears to be a modified version of some old custom of
" platform burial " — about halfway between regular
" platform " burial and interment. Of this method the
' This explanation may have been upon the third, seventh, and hundredth
given by a convert or have been merely days respectively is, I think, the clearest
diplomatic, but there can be little doubt evidence of either Malay or Jakun in-
as to the true interpretation of the rite, fluence. The careful washing of the
agreeing as it does so closely with the corpse (with the oiling and combing of
spirit of Sakai funeral rites in places its hair) and the laying of the dead
where the influence of Christianity has man's weapon upon his breast are
not yet penetrated. equally Malayan customs.
2 The attention given to the tomb ^ Letessier, p. 102.